Iran fires rockets at Israel, then halts attack
Iran launched rocket fire at Israel on Sunday, prompting the Home Front Command to impose nationwide restrictions including school closures, workplace limitations to buildings with protected spaces, and reduced public transportation. Iran announced later the same day it was halting its military operation after delivering what it called a "painful response," marking the first exchange of fire since the April ceasefire. Iran's military command warned that any continued aggression would prompt "much more severe and crushing measures." El Al announced passengers with flights through June 13 could postpone free of charge.
Starmer to ban social media for under-16s
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to announce plans for a ban on social media for children under 16. The announcement follows Australia's implementation and a nationwide consultation on children's access to social media. London's Mayor Sadiq Khan has backed the proposal, while Britain's children's commissioner has called for the ban to extend to 16 and 17-year-olds. Australia's ban, which took effect in June 2026, has faced criticism from young Australians who say it is failing to achieve its intended goals.
Israel Strikes Iran After Missile Barrage
Israel launched airstrikes on military and infrastructure sites in Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj and Tabriz, including a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel. Iran's Revolutionary Guards called the attack a "warning" and threatened broader strikes against US-Zionist targets. Oil prices surged to nearly $96 per barrel as investors weighed supply risks. The exchange threatened ongoing US-Iran negotiations aimed at extending the ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Trump had urged Netanyahu to exercise restraint before the strikes.
Anthropic calls for AI development pause amid safety fears
Anthropic, valued at $US965 billion, has called for a mechanism to slow or pause advanced AI development, warning the technology is improving faster than humanity can understand or control it. The company revealed its AI systems are writing code, ordering other bots around and conducting their own research. Chief executive Dario Amodei warned a temporary pause would be difficult to enforce due to geopolitical competition, particularly with China, which trails US companies by three to six months. Skeptics have accused Anthropic of using safety concerns to secure regulatory advantages ahead of its anticipated $1 trillion IPO.
OpenAI transforms ChatGPT into AI superapp
OpenAI is transforming ChatGPT into a "superapp" combining its chatbot with coding tool Codex and an AI-powered browser, marking its biggest product overhaul since launch. The company is shifting toward AI agents that perform tasks, viewing ChatGPT as an introductory tool while Codex serves 2 million businesses and generates 40 percent of revenue. OpenAI faces intensifying competition from Anthropic, which multiplied revenue by 47 in 18 months, with both companies planning IPOs this year.
Data centers meet resistance as AI boom strains water supplies
A data center project near an apartment complex in southwestern Seoul has triggered a legal dispute, with the developer filing complaints against three residents who opposed the facility. A Guardian analysis found approximately two-thirds of 809 planned US data centers are being built in drought-affected regions. By 2027, global AI infrastructure is projected to consume between 4.2 and 6.6 billion cubic meters of water annually, equivalent to half the United Kingdom's yearly water withdrawal. Some states are now considering restrictions, with California, Michigan, and Iowa weighing reporting requirements and New York planning a moratorium on new facilities.
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- Apple Siri Overhaul to Use Google's Gemini AI. The tech giant will reveal its most ambitious voice assistant upgrade at WWDC on June 8, marking its third major push to embed artificial intelligence into the iPhone.
- SpaceX targets $75bn IPO, making Musk first billionaire. The company will debut on Nasdaq at a $1.75 trillion valuation, raising $75 billion in the world's largest ever IPO and cementing Musk's historic wealth milestone. Goldman Sachs projects AI revenues could reach $322 billion by 2030.
- DR Congo Ebola cases exceed 500, set to become largest on record. Confirmed cases have spread across three provinces and into Uganda, with the CDC warning the outbreak could dwarf the 2014-2016 West African epidemic that killed 11,000 people.
- Xi visits North Korea to counter Russia's growing influence. Xi seeks to reaffirm Beijing's influence over North Korea as Pyongyang deepens military and economic ties with Russia while continuing to expand its nuclear program.
- Federal judge strikes down Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee. A federal judge ruled the fee an unlawful tax that Congress never authorized, siding with 20 Democratic attorneys general who challenged the steep increase designed to discourage H-1B visa applications.